It Was His (SELF-PUBLISHED)

Chapter 5

"Can we talk?"

I didn't dare to look back on her again. Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko at nagpasyang lumabas sa clinic. Wala pa kasi ang nurse kaya hihintayin ko sana ngunit mali ata ako ng napasukan dahil ahas ang bumungad sa 'kin.

"Please Nath..."

I slapped her hand when she grabbed my elbow. 

"Don't you ever lay your filthy hands on me."

Madalas kaming magkasalubungan ng daan lalo na dito sa university pero siya parati ang umiiwas sa 'kin. At ngayon lang siya naglakas-loob na kausapin ako. Para saan pa 'di ba? It's all clear to me that she cheated with MY  EX BOYFRIEND.

"I'm sorry. Just this once, Nath. Hear me out."

I sarcastically smiled and face her. Mabuti nalang at walang masyadong tao sa building na 'to kaya kung babalakin kong tadyakan ang babaeng 'to ay malaya ko itong magagawa. But still, I'm not that cheap to stood down her level. 

"And what lies will you explain this time? Are you planning to fool me again? Well, I'm sorry but-

"You need to know the truth."

Doon na ako napatigil dahil bigla na akong naguluhan. What truth? na nagpropose na si Apollo sa kanya?

"Missy."

Shocked was written her face when she heard Adam's voice from behind. Lalo na nang makalapit ito nang husto sa pwesto namin at nasa tabi ko na siya ngayon. It's like she has seen a ghost for the first time.

"A-adam...when did you c-come back?" She said while stuttering. 

For almost 4 years of our friendship, she only feel this uncomfortable when she's around with a stranger. At ang pagkakaalam ko naman ay matagal na rin silang magkakilala ni Adam at hindi naman siya ganito dati kung makitungo. What's really happening right here? Why does Adam give this kind of reaction to Missy? Unless...there's something going on.

Or maybe...may namamagitan din sa kanila.

"Yesterday. Anong pinag-uusapan niyo ni Nathalie? Bati na kayo?" He smirked to her and put his arm around my shoulder. Agad ko namang pinisil ang tagiliran nito para bitawan ako. Kung maaari lang ay pati siya lalayuan ko na dahil baka ma-misinterpret pa ng iba ang mga kilos nito.

Halos kalat na nga rin sa buong campus ang paghihiwalay namin ni Apollo at baka mas ako pa ang ma-issue kung ganito kalapit si Adam sa 'kin. It's not that I feel guilty or anything but I just don't want to be the talk in town.

"Uhm...it's nothing. Forget about what I said, Nath. I'm sorry again."

Hindi pa siya makatingin nang diretso sa 'kin habang nagpapaalam at kumaripas na ng takbo. Problema ng babaeng 'yon? Mas lalo tuloy akong nacurious sa kung ano dapat ang aaminin niya sa 'kin. 

But the question is...will I still believe her? I guess not anymore.

"Galing kang clinic?" Hinarap ko si Adam at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

His lips are playfully smirking at me and I really hate it. I admit that he's attractive especially when he's being this naughty but I just shrugged it off. He's still nothing compared to Apo- ugh nevermind.

"Yeah and I thought you already left?"

"I still don't want to. I wanna be with you."

"Huh?"

I really hate this side of him. Kahit noong kami pa ni Apollo ay lagi siyang dumidikit sa 'kin at isa rin siya sa mga rason kung bakit madalas pa kaming mag-away in those times. He can be a male version of Missy, to be honest. 'Yong kahit aware na silang comitted na 'yong taong gusto nila sa iba ay ipipilit pa rin ang sarili. I kinda feel uncomfy towards Adam since the very first day I met him.

He's a good person but most of the time, he's not.

"Can we go to the mall after your class? Alam mo namang ayaw kong mag-isa kapag gumagala eh," He said with his puppy eyes. Tsk. Hindi niya ako madadaan diyan.

Nawala na tuloy ang pagkahilo ko pero napalitan naman ng inis dahil sa lalakeng 'to.

"Look, Adam. I'll be direct to you this time. Thank you for being nice to me but you know that I can't like you back right? And I have other plans this afternoon."

"Baka naman palusot lang 'yan dahil ayaw mo akong makasama?"

"Tama ka nga. Ayaw kitang makasama pero hindi ako nagpapalusot. It's family thing so back out."

Tumalikod na ako sa kanya para bumalik na sa clinic at makainom na ng gamot nang may sabihin pa ito sa 'kin.

"Soon, Nathalie. I know you'll still end up with me..."

___

"Are you taking your vitamins?"

"Yes, Nurse Cheen."

"Did you visit your ob?"

"Maybe this coming weekend."

Si Nurse Cheen ay pinsan nila Apollo kaya medyo magkakilala na rin kami and I feel comfortable with her checking my condition. Hindi na rin ako gaanong nahihilo pero mukhang kailangan ko talaga ng pahinga dahil puro takbo ang ginawa ko kanina. Mabuti na nga lang at ito lang ang inabot ko pero kakailanganin ko na talagang mag-ingat sa susunod.

"You need to take care of yourself and the baby 24/7. Have you already told about this to Apollo?"

I was taken back by her question and I instantly avoided her gaze. I must admit that I feel so guilty every time someone asks me this. Although iilan lang naman kaming nakakaalam. My family and her only. Si Nurse Cheen din ang unang nakaalam sa sitwasyon ko at mahigpit ko siyang pinagbawalan na banggitin ang tungkol dito kay Apollo o kahit na sino sa pamilya nila.

The Rigel family owns this university and I feel so trapped right now. The very reason why I chose to hide my baby from his father is that, I'm afraid that Tita Paulina will loathe me more. My mom and Apollo's mother are not in good terms kaya ayaw na ayaw niya sa 'kin.

"Not yet and I think it will never happen." Humina ang boses ko dahil do'n. Makakaya ko kayang itago nang matagal sa kanya? I know Apollo too much. He's not stupid to even notice anything but I'm so afraid. 

What if he'll know about it and decided to come back to me, only for our baby and not because he still love me?

"Your decisions are worst, Nath. I know I'm not in the position to tell you this but think carefully. I can see in your eyes that you still love my cousin and he has the right to know about your baby. Don't be too weak to face the consequences. And lastly, do the right thing before it's too late."

Hanggang sa nakalabas na ako ng clinic at mabigyan ng mga iilang paalala ay tumatatak pa rin sa 'kin ang huling mga sinabi niya.

"Do the right thing before it's too late..."

My baby suddenly came into my mind and think about his/her future.

Makakakaya ko bang makita ang anak kong lumaki ng walang tatay?

Just by thinking of him/her growing with a broken family- it breaks my heart.

This coming Friday...I'll tell him the truth.

Just hang in there, baby. Your father will accept you...